1-2-1 on the Vegas and California trip is not good enough. To blow a lead to the San Jose Sharks is unforgiveable. The New York Rangers took a multiple goal lead against the San Jose Sharks and set it on fire. Against another team towards the top of the standings, you could live with it, but the San Jose Sharks are the last placed team in the NHL. This roster blowing a lead to it, after nearly blowing it in the home game against this team, is unacceptable.
A blocked shot would allow the puck to come loose to Vincent Trocheck on the near boards. Trocheck tried to fire the puck across the slot for Alexis Lafreniere, but it was cut out by the Sharks. Adam Fox skated onto it and put the loose puck home to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead early in the game. A strong start to the game and the Rangers needed it. Coming from behind has been an issue all year.
K'Andre Miller would take the puck from the point before dishing it over to Adam Fox. Fox would get the puck to Panarin, who finds some open ice to skate into. That's always a good thing for the Rangers, and the perfect screen in front from Vincent Trocheck means that the shot was never seen by Mackenzie Blackwood, It was now a 2-0 Ranger lead on the blade of the breadman.
The Sharks would get back into the game thanks to a complete breakdown from the Rangers. Nico Sturm would be the beneficiary of a loose puck bouncing around the net. Rtik Gustafsson bounced it off the end boards and Sturm was able to bank it off the back of Igor Shesterkin's skate and into the cage. A disappointing series of events, but it's fine. The Rangers still have control of this game.
A defensive zone draw was lost by the Rangers, allowing the Sharks to work the puck back to the point. Jan Rutta would load up from the point. His rocket of a shot would be tipped home by former New York Ranger Ryan Carpenter. It was now a tie game, and the Rangers had blown their lead in this third period. Completely unforgivable allowing a bottom feeder like the Sharks back into a game.
In overtime, Alexander Barabanov would pick up the puck and turn in front of the net. He found Jan Rutta who was left all alone. Rutta was able to find a back door pass over to Tomas Hertl who was all alone. He controlled the puck before roofing it on Shesterkin as he haunts the Rangers again. It ends 3-2 to the San Jose Sharks, and this point will not feel nice for the Rangers as they head home to MSG.